CHICO — One-time grants of up to $2,000 to help with housing expenses are available through local Realtor groups, tapping a $1 million pool newly established for Camp Fire and other California wildfire victims.

The California Association of Realtors will start taking applications from homeowners and renters through the local boards for the per-household grants announced this week.

The expenses can be mortgage payments or rental leases or other housing cost, pointed out Peggy Mead, executive director of the Sierra North Valley Association of Realtors, which covers Chico and Paradise. Applications are also being taken by the Oroville Association of Realtors.

Mead pointed out that expenses keep coming for victims, and in some cases, mortgage payments must be continued even if the house is gone, unless lenders have said differently.

According to California Association of Realtors spokesperson Lotus Lou, this is the first time CAR has established such a grant program after a natural disaster for victims in general. CAR will administer the grants.

Applicants will need to provide some documentation, such as proof of ownership or loss or residency, Lou said. They also have to be a U.S. citizen and prove permanent residency. They must have lost their primary residence in the fire.

The program was established, Lou said, because of the extent of the Camp Fire. Similar grant programs were set up for the Woolsey and Hill wildfires simultaneously.

The financial basis for the grants came from the nonprofit Realtors Relief Foundation of the National Association of Realtors.

Victims can apply through the Sierra North Valley Association of Realtors by calling 530-893-1301, and the Oroville Association of Realtors, 530-533-9112.

Lou said victims are eligible even if they are getting housing assistance through FEMA or other government program.